Arlen Specter – A Quinnipiac University poll released this morning shows the longtime incumbent Senator neck-and-neck with GOP challenger Pat Toomey, and far ahead of Dem. Primary challenger Joe Sestak. The good news – the increasingly nasty primary battle with Sestak is going well.  The bad – Specter’s unfavorable ratings are high – roughly half of Pennsylvanians don’t think he deserves another  term in the Senate. 

Bill DeWeese, Stephen Stetler – Bonusgate Round III brought a huge name (DeWeese) into the mix as Attorney General Tom Corbett’s neverending corruption investigation continued. 

Speaking of the Attorney General, Tom Corbett might have had the best week of any Pennsylvania pol – he delivered more charges in the Bonusgate investigation, and a Quinnipiac poll confirmed that the AG is the clear frontrunner (from either party) for the Governor’s Mansion.  Corbett will likely cruise through the GOP primary against Gerlach and Rohrer, and Democratic candidates are all struggling mightily with name recognition.

  Chris Doherty. Earlier this week, the Scranton mayor and gubernatorial candidate created a hilarious campaign video comprised mostly of clips from “The Office” (a PoliticsPA favorite), but it was promptly removed by NBC’s copyright patrol.   Then, the Mayor of Electric City went all-mavericky on Sen. John McCain, after the former Presidential candidate labeled (on Twitter) Scranton’s federal grant money to clean up the city as “wasteful spending.”   Doherty then wrote to McCain, inviting the Arizona Senator to Scranton to see the work being done with the federal funds.

An up arrow for the life of longtime radioman and talk show host Fred Honsberger, who died at the age of 58 this week.  Honsberger’s career took him from KYW in Philadelphia to WKBO in Harrisburg and finally to KDKA in Pittsburgh, where he enjoyed a long career as one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved and respected radio hosts. 

Frank Dermody– The State representative from Oakmont was elected Democratic House Whip after Rep. Bill DeWeese left the post following recent corruption charges made against him.  Dermody beat out five others vying for the seat, including State Rep. Joe Preston.  The title is long overdue recognition for one of the good guys in the Pa. House.

Tags: Up & Down

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